The South Korean won traded around 1,358 per dollar, hovering near a two-year high as strong semiconductor demand continued to support a positive export outlook. September exports are projected to increase 62% year-on-year, while semiconductor shipments jumped 259.4% in the first 20 days of the month, bolstering expectations for export earnings and foreign currency inflows. Major Korean chipmakers are likewise expected to post solid third-quarter results, underpinned by sustained AI-related demand.
At the policy level, the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Korea agreed to strengthen cooperation on monitoring financial markets and coordinating responses, while pursuing a balanced mix of fiscal and monetary policies. Meanwhile, rising US Treasury yields fueled concerns about a widening interest-rate differential and the possibility of further Federal Reserve rate hikes. In addition, oil prices extended their gains as uncertainty surrounding a potential US–Iran agreement kept worries about Middle East supply risks elevated.
